12 exotic plants found inside a new calendar of Seychelles

(Seychelles News Agency) - The value of a nation's beauty is one of its richest assets. The flora and fauna are what sets apart one destination from others.

The Seychelles islands – an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean – is one such destination. A champion and leader in environmental issues, the islands are well known for its endemic plants and animals.

This week’s Seychelles Buzz shows off 12 endemic plants featured in a 2018 calendar produced by the Seychelles National Herbarium. Through this calendar, the herbarium wants to raise awareness on these plants with the hope that Seychellois recognize their true value.

1. Begonia Seychellensis – begonya sova

The begonia Seychellensis are plants found uniquely on Mahe and Silhouette islands. The species is found in shady areas. The plants grow on the ground or on rocky surfaces in forests in mountainous areas.

Endemic to the main island of Mahe and the third-largest island of Silhouette, glionnetia sericea prefer humid mountainous forests. The plants can also be found on glacis at altitudes greater than 500 metres.

Found in several granitic islands, these species can be found in various habitats. Neofriedmannia seychellensis grow at different altitudes on exposed glacis areas. The plant has been documented on Mahe, Silhouette, Praslin, Felicite, Therese and Fregate islands.

The pandanus sechellarum can be found on Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette, Curieuse, and Felicite. It can also be found on Fregate but the species were introduced on the island. The plant grows at different locations including on glacis areas as well as in humid forest undergrowth.

After its extinction from Mahe, Silhouette, Praslin, and Felicite, the rothmannia annae was found in its natural state only on Aride Island. The plant which grows at low altitude has been successfully been re-introduced to other islands of Seychelles.